Which Linux/Mac command-line tool performs detailed DNS lookups, showing the full DNS response including TTL values and record types?

Which Linux/Mac command-line tool performs detailed DNS lookups, showing the full DNS response including TTL values and record types?

• A. Dig
• B. Nslookup
• C. Host
• D. Traceroute

Answer: (A)

Detailed DNS lookups that show the full DNS response including TTL values and record types are provided by dig. Dig queries DNS servers and returns the complete response, including sections for the question, the answers with each record type (such as A, AAAA, MX, NS, TXT), and the TTL for each record that tells how long that data can be cached. This full visibility is invaluable for debugging DNS, as you can see exactly what a server responded with, which server was queried, and any authority or additional records present. You can tailor queries to specific record types or servers, but the default output already exposes the detailed, multi-section response. Nslookup is older and often provides a less consistent, more limited view. The host command offers quick, concise lookups without the full TTL and sectioned details. Traceroute maps the network path to a host, not the DNS answer itself. So the tool that best gives you the complete DNS response with TTLs and record types is dig.

Detailed DNS lookups that show the full DNS response including TTL values and record types are provided by dig. Dig queries DNS servers and returns the complete response, including sections for the question, the answers with each record type (such as A, AAAA, MX, NS, TXT), and the TTL for each record that tells how long that data can be cached. This full visibility is invaluable for debugging DNS, as you can see exactly what a server responded with, which server was queried, and any authority or additional records present. You can tailor queries to specific record types or servers, but the default output already exposes the detailed, multi-section response. Nslookup is older and often provides a less consistent, more limited view. The host command offers quick, concise lookups without the full TTL and sectioned details. Traceroute maps the network path to a host, not the DNS answer itself. So the tool that best gives you the complete DNS response with TTLs and record types is dig.